BAGHDAD,(ST)_ Iraqi army has regained full control of Jarif al-Sakher and al-Rwe’eyeh areas north Babel city, Iraqi Defense Ministry said Friday.
The Iraqi media network quoted media advisor at Defense Ministry as saying that brigade 31 from the 8th division of Babel operations center supported by popular forces regained full control of Jarif al-Sakher and al-Rwe’eyeh areas north Babel city.
The advisor added that Iraqi army imposed control over main roads and governmental institutes in the wake of fierce fighting with the terror organization Daesh [known as IS or ISIS or ISIL in foreign media reports].
“As many as 60 Daesh-linked terrorists were killed in the military operation,” he confirmed.
Earlier, security forces cleansed several rural roads in Jarif al-Sakher a day after the ‘al-Salam’ detachment and popular forces gave the al-Shakhaat and al-Bhirat areas to security forces.
Smuggling tunnel
Member of Fallujah tribes, Mohammad al-Bjari, declared that the tribal fighters found a 12km-long tunnel linking Fallujah and Jarif al-Sakher areas in Babel.
“The tunnel was used by Daesh gangs for smuggling weapons and equipment,” al-Bjari added.
Yesterday it was reported that Iraqi army began an extensive operation in Jarif al-Sakher, about 35km north of Babel, to liberate it from Daesh [IS].
Basma Qaddour